Our history

Since 1937, breakthrough ideas have fueled our work on bringing efficient healthcare solutions to life.

Making life easier

Ambu's company philosophy has always been the desire to make life easier for doctors and to find innovative products that can save lives. Innovation and entrepreneurship are key for Ambu. Always have been. Always will be.

Our history

In 1937, the engineer, Holger Hesse, founds Testa laboratory, which later becomes Ambu. Hesse develops products that make a difference to patients and doctors. The Sicca Haemometer is the first product that enables private practitioners to measure the amount of haemoglobin in the blood without having to send a blood sample to an external laboratory.

The Ambu bag

The real breakthrough comes in 1956 when the Ambu ventilation bag reaches the market, developed together with anaesthetist Henning Ruben. It’s the world’s first self-inflating resuscitator and a major milestone in emergency medical equipment. The Ambu bag becomes a permanent part of hospitals’ and emergency services’ product ranges. Testa Laboratory – which is later to become Ambu – is in growth.

The growth

During the 60s and 70s, the growth at Testa, which is now led by the late Holger Hesse’s wife, Mrs Hesse, continues. Important products are launched, including manikins, the PEEP valve, the ECG Simulator and many more.

By the late 70s, the demand for Ambu’s products is overwhelming. A global distribution network and sales companies strengthen Ambu’s position on the global medical care and training scene. The products now fall under two categories: resuscitation and training products.

Ambu gets its name

In 1986, Testa Laboratory changes its name to Ambu International and six years later, a long awaited stock exchange listing officially marks Ambu as an international company.

Electrode business

In 2001, Ambu acquires Medicotest, the largest European manufacturer of electrodes. With the acquisition comes a large portfolio of quality electrodes called BlueSensor. And the first steps to gradually move Ambu’s production from Denmark to Malaysia and China are taken.

It’s also at this stage that Ambu begins to focus more on advancing single-use devices. The medical community and several markets are in demand for single-use devices, and the single-use aspect gradually becomes an integrated part of our strategy.

Where we are today

Since 2009, when we launched the world's first single-use flexible videoscope, we have shown the way in single-use endoscopy. The Ambu® aScope™ is an advanced platform for improving patient care, optimizing the workflows of health care professionals and reducing health care costs.

At all times, we have continued to build on our important heritage by driving breakthrough ideas forward and turning them into efficient healthcare solutions. It has brought us to where we are today – One of the world’s most recognised medical device companies.